Remember the 1961 Houston Oilers? No? Well, as Mike Pesca explains in our weekly excerpt from Slate's Hang Up and Listen podcast, they had the fifth-highest point differential of any team in pro football history. They won the AFL that year. 34-year-old George Blanda threw 36 touchdowns and Heisman winner Billy Cannon rushed for nearly 1,000 yards.

But Houston had its great success because it fired its coach, Lou Rymkus, midseason. He was 1-3-1. Wally Lemm (pictured, right) took over and went 9-0. Listen up and learn why Rymkus was the worst:

Also! Hang Up and Listen is coming to New York on Tuesday, January 17. It will be a live show with Josh Levin, Mike Pesca, and Stefan Fatsis, at City Winery in SoHo. Get your tickets here.